On 28 July 1914, the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to Italy, Kajetan von Merey (pictured), sent a coded telegram to the Austro-Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Leopold Count Berchtold. In his telegram, von Merey informs Berchtold of his ill health and of a meeting his representative had with the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Marquis di San Giuliano.

Kajetan von Merey

Herr von Merey to Count Berchtold. Rome, 28 July 1914.

Cyphered.

Italy’s attitude.

As I am still confined to my bed, I have asked that the instructions contained in your Excellency’s telegram of 26 July be carried out by Count Ambrozy and, faced with Italy’s by no means irreproachable attitude in the compensation question, asked that he avoid offering thanks which Italy has not yet deserved. Moreover, I have instructed Count Ambrozy to declare that your Excellency will discuss the question of the compensation at a time when there is no danger in touching upon such a theme.

The [Italian] Minister of Foreign Affairs, who received Ambrozy, was very busy and asked the Count to repeat his message to one of his secretaries who, on being told, took a note. Count Amhrozy was then informed that he would eventually answer tomorrow.